Get a Head Start on the Competition

July 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This post is for all of those professionals that like to get started early. Thinking through the MBA application process early in the year has many advantages. The pressure is extremely low and many of your friends are ending their application process with fresh memories. This is the time to think about your application in big picture terms. Use this time to your advantage while deadlines are few and anxiety is low. Here are three ways to make good use of your time as you prepare early.

  • Think about the GMAT - This is THE standardized test in the world of business school. Many times, your GMAT and GPA are the two measures used to determine your academic aptitude. Think about what you are going to need to perform well on the test. Are you comfortable with self-study? Will you need one-on-one coaching or do you prefer a classroom environment? Consider the fact that you may have to take the test more than once.
  • Think about your target schools - Where would you like to go to school? On the east coast or the west coast? Which school is attracting the best companies? Which school sounds like the most fun? Make a list and don’t be afraid if it gets a little long. Next to each school on your list, write a one word description of why that school is interesting. As the list grows it will show you the things you value in the MBA experience.
  • Think about your career goals - You do not have to make any hard decisions, just think about the careers that sound interesting. Use your creative mind here. Think about those careers you have always wanted to have and how an MBA could be the missing link. If you are having trouble coming up with a specific job, think about your career in terms if industry, function, or lifestyle.

Take your time with the process and let it all unfold.

Posted by Alzay | Filed Under mba applicant 

Better Than a Professional Statement

May 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

What do you think of when someone uses the phrase professional statement? For most, a professional statement is a one-time document you create as part of an MBA application. But I know you pretty well, and I know that you can do a lot better than that. Why not create something that has use far beyond your MBA application? Why not create a STORY that has use over your entire career? Watch the video below to understand the importance of a professional STORY.

http://evenbetterconsulting.com/blog/videos/tellyourstory.flv

Don’t get me wrong, a quality professional statement is good. Actually, it is necessary. Still, for too many people the document has short term scope. MBA applicants spend so much time on their professional statements only to throw them away once they are admitted. The assumption is “I’ll revise it once I get settled in school”. Little do they know, that time never comes. MBA students are busy! School work, job search, and social activities eat up whatever time previously thought was going to be used to revisit career goals.

And because there are so many interesting jobs offered to MBAs…students end up running around like a kid in a candy store “looking at all the cool jobs”. They choose the coolest one, graduate, and one year later are wondering where the “cool” went. This brings them right back to their professional statement. They may not re-write it, but they certainly revisit their career goals in order to clarify their career path.

When I talk about a professional story, I am talking about looking at your MBA career with a long term perspective. It’s like having a living, breathing professional statement. Take a look at the video above to see what I mean. Agree? Disagree? Would you like to hear more? Post below to let me know.

Posted by Alzay | Filed Under mba student